The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-10-27

in all the neighboring taverns. He drew
near, and, looking Mr.. Matthias full in the
face, exclaimed:
"Hello! Is that you, Mr.. Matthias? ?
Already"
Mr. Matthias, not little embarrassed,
kept on trying to wind his shroud about
him, hoping that q ghoStlv appearance
would rid him of his inopportune com
panion. 1t did not, however. On the
contrary. Grimhot kindly assisted him in
putting on the sheet, and arranged it so
that the folds fell gracefully.
81 have just left my tomb" began
Mr.. Matthias in a hollow voice.
$50 I see,' said Grimbot, interrupting
him. "You seem to be in a much greater
hurry than the others"
Mr.. Matthias did not listen to him. He
was now taking long strides, walking on
tiptoe, just like ghost.
Grimbot kept up with him and con-
tinued:
"The idea does not come to the others
so soon They generally let a month or
two go by"
Mr.. Matthias suddenly turned toward
him and extended both arms eXclaiming:
"Begone, profane man! Begoner'
"Tusbl Tush!" said Grimbot, in a faith
erly tone Don't mind me-after all,
suppose you want only to take an airing
like the other fellows"
Mr.. Matthias kept on straight ahead,
not deeming it worth his while to an
swer. He soon perceived, through the
darkness, the gate of the cemetery. Being
always prepared for the worst, he had
few louis in his pocket. "Come," said he,
offering couple of gold pieces to Grim
bot, "let's waste no time in talk. Here!
let me have the key"
Grimbot stepped back, exclaiming:
"What! the key! you want to go out!
That's Il funny notion! But, say. none
of thatw
Il will give you four louisi" groaned
Mr.. Matthias.
"Say, now, stop that" replied Grimbot,
"or else shall knock you on the head. I
have no objection to your leaving your
tomb and walking about. The others do
so, too"
"The others! What others ?"'
gave a H1oC o"OOP cl1Ouiio
with his hand as he replied:
why, the dead, of course!'
The dead . . who is talking to
you about tie dead? Why. man, am
alive, still living, don't you see?"
"Phew! that is All awful joke; but, see
here, | am a good fellow. Come along
and take Il drink with me-"
Like a pair ,f pincers, his hand grasped
Mr. Matthias wrist. He dragged him to
small building, where he lived, and
made him enter a rooom on the ground
floor.
Mr. Matthias was literally dumfounded.
After closing the door, Grimbot got bot
tie from the shelf, and filling two glasses,
he took one and held it up, saying:
Here's to you, Mr.. Matthias
Listen to me, good man." said Mr.. Ma
thias. You want to have your little joke
at my expense. Well and good. But
there is a time for all things. For rea-
son that concerns me only, have allowed
myself to be buried Now, business of
great importance requires my presence
outside. Let me go, and, l assure you,
shall pay you well.''
While he was speaking Grimbot had
slowly walked around the table, and TAX
en- position, standing. his back against
the door.
You are good talker," sneered he
$50 you are alive, Ell? Well, you are not
the first who has.told me that. You see,
I hear such strange stories. / am quite
fond of my subordinates. Every night
one or two of them come, without cere-
mony, to take drink with me. Last
night it was the notary. You know
whom mean; your neighbor, Radel, the
one that has the broken column. The
night before that 1 had call from, Nine.
Claudin, mighty fine looking woman, l
tell you am good fellow. let them
walk about at night and chat with them;
but as to letting them go outside, that is
quite another thing
Mr.. Matthias began to feel uncomforta-
BILE. And no wonder, for Grimbot spoke
with perfect composure, like function
ary who understood the responsibilities
of his Office.
He was medium-sized, thick-set man,
with hands like gorillas. His eyes
were black and glisteniDg. A shiver ran
through Mr. Matthias frame as the idea
struck him that the man was crazy.
Yes; that must be it. He must be a
visionary fellow who believed his grave
yard peopled with ghosts. He lived in a
fantastic world, the creation of drunk
ards brain.
Mr.. Matthias began talking, pleading,
promising, supplicating. Why, how could
he, the good, kind, intelligent Grimbot.
make such a mistake as to take him for a
dead man, and he burst into laugh.
"Herep' said Grimbot curtly; enough
of this! so long as you won't behave rea-
sonably, you will have to go in again.
"Go in again! go in where?"
Into your home, of course! AT the
corner of the the third division"
Into the tomb NeverT'
"You won't! Once! Twice.
Mr.. Matthias looked at the enormous
hands. Overcome with terror, he glanced
around, looking for an opening to escape
through. There was but one, the door,
and there was Grimbot, propped up
against it! Anyhow, he had to pass, cost
what it may! So he rushed forward with
a scream.
Grimbot quietly put forward his open
hand, into which the throat of his assail-
ant fitted closely. Mr.. Matthias hic-
coughed and tried to struggle. The hand
closed more tightly. Mr.. Matthias slid
down to the floor, kicked about for little
while and then remained motionless.
Grimbot, like one used to occurrences
of this kicked him up, and, walking with
the dignifed step of a man conscious of
having done his duty, he carried him
back to the tomb, where he cast him into
the crypt. He then kicked the slab back